Execs on Tech

Local Techies Recommend Their Favorite Gadgets

Candace Little

June 1, 2011

In this wireless, paperless, high-tech world, new gadgets are constantly coming out—and newer versions of older gadgets are, too.
We turned to early adopters to discover gadgets that take away some of the hassles of life.
Garmin Forerunner 305
Dwain Kinghorn, Partner,
SageCreek Partners
Dwain Kinghorn uses this lightweight, long-battery-life GPS watch—a gadget that “added a new dimension” to his running routine.
“The combination of the experience that you get while using it—heart rate, speed, distance, etc.—is great for workout, but what makes it better is the ability to analyze and archive the data to review workouts across time,” he says.
Verizon Wireless MiFi 2200
Cydni Tetro, Entrepreneur in Residence, Disney Research
Cydni Tetro says every person that needs connectivity should have a Verizon MiFi. It’s a stand-alone portable wireless internet device that lets Tetro set up office anywhere, without draining her cell phone battery, and while supporting up to five other connections. “I love it,” Tetro says. “It allows me to work wherever I need to, sometimes that is in a car in a parking lot, at a client site, in an airport, at an office. I never have to worry about if I can find free wi-fi.”
Apple iPhone 4
Jeremy Hanks, Cofounder, Chairman and President, Doba
Anxiously awaiting the iPhone 5 release, Jeremy Hanks says he feels connected and productive when using his iPhone 4, and uses it even more than his iPad. He recommends this gadget to everyone for both personal and business use. “Seriously,” Hanks says, “other mobile devices are crap, and the iPhone’s ease of use combined with an app for everything under the sun is an unbeatable combination.”
Pad Prompter made by One Take Only
Matthew Thomas, Multimedia Director and Principal, ThomasARTS
The Pad Prompter is a portable and affordable video teleprompter that uses an iPad to display scrolling text for actors and speakers. It collapses into a very small size, smaller than most laptops, and it includes the mounting hardware for attaching to a camcorder. With the help of scrolling text apps available for download, Matthew Thomas says this gadget could make your next meeting or public speaking assignment a breeze.
eTAPE 16
Scott Johnson, CEO, AtTask
“How dumb is it to make a rounded-back measuring tape? That can make it way too easy to get inaccurate results,” says Scott Johnson. The eTAPE 16 is a digital measuring tape that has a square back. It can figure out fractions and measure either from the front or the back of the tape measure. Johnson recommends this gadget to anybody who also owns a hammer and a drill. Next gadget on his list? Xantech MX88, an iPad controllable audio distribution system.